the act they
have done, and how they will carry a curse with them ever after, and
all will shun them. With horror they recall the details of the scene:

_Ores._ Didst thou see her when she drew {1338}
Her vests aside, and bared her breasts, and bow'd
To earth her body whence I drew my birth,
Whilst in her locks my furious hand I wreath'd?

_Elec._ With anguish'd mind, I know, thou didst proceed,
When heard thy wailing mother's piteous cries.

_Ores._ These words, whilst with her hands she strok'd my cheeks,
Burst forth, "Thy pity I implore, my son;"
Soothing she spoke, as on my cheeks she hung,
That bloodless from my hand the sword might fall.

_Chor._ Wretched Electra, how could'st thou sustain
A sight like this? How bear thy mother's death,
Seeing her thus before thine eyes expire?

_Ores._ Holding my robe before mine eyes, I rais'd
The sword and plung'd it in my mother's breast.

_Elec._ I urged thee to it, I too touch'd the sword.

_Chor._ Of deeds most dreadful this which thou hast done.
Cover thy mother's body; in her robes
Decent compose her wounded limbs.--Thou gav'st
Being to those who were to murder thee.

DIVINE INTERVENTION

_Suddenly over the Permanent Scene two Supernatural Beings appear and
move along, recognized by the Chorus as Castor and Pollux, the Family
Deities_. {1364}

Hear, son of Agamemnon: for to thee
Thy mother's brothers, twin-born sons of Jove
Castor, and this my brother Pollux, speak.
Late, having calmed the ocean waves, that swell'd
The lab'ring vessel menacing, we came
To Argos, where our sister we beheld,
Thy mother, slain: with justice vengeance falls
On her; in thee unholy is the deed.
Yet Phoebus, Phoebus--but, my king is he;
I will be silent: yet, though wise, he gave
To thee response not wise; but I must praise
Perforce these things. Thou now must do what Fate
And Jove decree.

Electra is to marry Pylades, and Orestes to flee to Athens and be
purified by the Court on the Hill of Mars: Apollo assisting. Orestes'
future life is foretold [thus working out various details of the
Orestes legends].--With awe Orestes, Electra, and Chorus enter into
c